Frank Murphy will make his first start for the province in almost a year on Friday night against Ulster. Murphy has not played a game for the province this season but following the announcement that he has been added to Munster’s Heineken Cup squad, coach Alan Gaffney has decided to give him a start.
Despite losing to France last Saturday, Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan has decided against changing his starting line-up for the trip to Wales on Saturday. Some of O’Sullivan’s men came in for heavy critism following the loss last weekend but nobody has got the chop.
Ireland’s Grand Slam dream is over following a 26 points to 19 loss to France at Landsdowne Road. Ireland were never really in control of the game but despite this they were still in contention in the closing stages of the game thanks to an an amazing individual effort from captain Brian O’Driscoll to score a try to keep Ireland in the game.
Leinster have announced that their outhalf David Holwell will return to New Zealand when his contract expires at the end of the season. Holwell who joined the province in October has added an extra dimension to the side at outhalf, a position they have struggled with in recent years.
Munster have nominated scrum-half Frank Murphy and utility three-quarters Brian Lima (Samoa) as their additional players for the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup. Both names were submitted to ERC by 12 noon today ahead of the deadline for registration.
Eddie O’Sullivan today announced his Irish side to face France in the Six Nations on Saturday. The team contains one change from the side than beat England. That is the inclusion of Kevin Maggs in the centre in place of the injured Shane Horgan. It had been hoped that Gordon D’Arcy would return to the side to fill the vacancy but despite playing 60 minutes for Leinster at the weekend he has been ruled out with the same hamstring injury that has dogged his Six Nations campaign.
Munster have recieved a huge blow ahead of their upcoming Heineken Cup quarter-final with Biarittz with the news that full-back Christian Cullen will miss between 4 to 6 months due to a shoulder injury he picked up in Saturday’s defeat to the Cardiff Blues.
Ulster have made their second Southern Hemisphere signing of the year with the news that veteran Wallabies and Waratahs lock Justin Harrison has opted to sign a three year deal with the province.
With Munster losing last night the Ospreys were all but assured of the Celtic League title if they managed a win over Leinster. They achieved this with a 16 points to 12 win over the Leinster men. Leinster started well and even led at half-time but two tries for The Ospreys in the second half put the game beyond Leinster and most likely put the League out of the reach of Munster.
Munster’s attempt to be the first side to win the Celtic League twice took a major blow last night when they lost their second away match in succession against Cardiff Blues. The Blues ran out comfortable 33 points to 20 winners.